Page 10 of The Deadly Candies

Carmelo stirred, blinking groggily at the grinning face of his brother, Matteo. “See, Mama? He’s okay,” Matteo said, laughing as he stepped back to let their mother through. Carmelo’s mother approached; her arms full of flowers that he had smelled in his dream. She set them on the side table by the bed, and adjusted the vase compulsively. Matteo grabbed Nino’s hand, pulling their shy oldest brother closer to the bed. If Carmelo could smile, he would. Nino always made him smile.

“Vedi, Nino? Just like I told you, he’s fine,” Matteo said, ruffling Nino’s hair.

Nino, taller and broader than Carmelo and Matteo, charged toward the bed, his face lighting up joyfully. He lunged to hug Carmelo, but Matteo caught him just in time. “Whoa… whoa! Easy, big guy! He’s not ready for one of your hugs.”

Carmelo’s mother laughed, the sound like music in the sterile hospital room. He glanced at her, his heart swelling at the joy on her face. How could he have ever thought of leaving them behind? He loved Kathy, but he loved his family, too. He should be able to have them both.

Kathy.

It had been a dream. She was gone. There was no marriage. No hope. No future.

“The doctors said you broke your jaw,” his mother mumbled, her voice tinged with both worry and reproach. She ran her hand over his chest, as if he’d done this to himself. But they all knew the truth—his father had hit him in the face with his fist at first, then with a hammer.

“Right now, you’re on liquids, so I’m bringing soup for you,mio bambino,” she said, her Italian accent softening the words. “They say in three more weeks; you can have soft food. I’ll mash some potatoes for you. Then, when the wires are out in three or four months, you’ll have surgery for your teeth and talk and eat like anyone. Good as new.” She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his brow.

Matteo looked away; his jaw tightened as he fought to hide his emotions.

“I’m going to stay here until you come home with me,” his mother continued, her voice steady. “Your father will have his men here to watch over us. But I will make them stay outside. This is your room. I’ll take care of my boy better than any nurse or nun can. So don’t you worry.”

Carmelo moved a finger outside the cast on his hand, a small but deliberate gesture. What he needed more than anything was their love and presence. And he welcomed it.

A plan began to form in his mind, sharp and unyielding. He would heal. He would get stronger. And then, he would kill his father. After that, he would go get his wife. Because Kathy was his wife, and no one—not his father, not the world—would change that fact. He’d escape to the life of a husband and protector of Kathy in the real world, not just his mind. That’s what God had shown him.

Butts, Mississippi - Last Stop (1948)

“Butts!”the driver barked; his voice cut through the hum of conversation on the bus.

Kathy looked up from her diary, her heart skipping a beat. This was it.

“This you,”Buddy said, easing out of his seat. He tipped his hat, a faint smile tugging at his lips.“Nice meeting you, Ms. Kathy.”

“Thank you, Buddy,”she replied, returning his grin as he helped her gather her things.“Safe travels to Tupelo.”

“Yes, ma’am,”he said, his voice warm. “You be good, ya hear!”

“Yes, sir,” she smiled.

Kathy made her way down the aisle, her satchel slung over her shoulder. The driver handed her suitcases from beneath the bus, and she stepped onto the dusty ground of Butts, Mississippi.

“Good day, ma’am,”the driver said, tipping his cap.

“Thank you,”Kathy murmured, her eyes scanning the station.

Her mother had said Big Mama would send someone, but Kathy hadn’t thought to ask who. She gripped her suitcase, assuming it would be a cousin or someone familiar. The door swung open as she headed toward the station, and a tall, handsome young man stepped out.

Kathy froze. Her mouth fell open.

His eyes lifted and locked onto hers.

“Kathy?”he said, his voice a mix of disbelief and joy.

“Ely!”she cried, her voice breaking over a sob of relief.

She dropped her suitcases and ran to him as if he were a lifeline in a sea of sharks. He caught her mid-leap, his arms wrapping around her in a tight embrace. For a moment, the world fell away. She buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of home, hopscotch, and red rover games with him, Debbie, and José when they were kids. The comfort of their shared childhood and the familiarity of broken dreams.

“Big Mama sent me to come get you,”he said softly, his voice steadying her.

“Oh, Ely, so much has happened,”was all she could manage, her words muffled against his chest.

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